The Protective Effect of Amphimas pterocarpoides Plant Extract on Bone Mineral Density and Strength in Estrogen Deficient Ovariectomized Wistar Rats

Background: To assess the potential phytoestrogenic effect of Amphimas pterocarpoides plant extract on the ovariectomy (OVX) induced bone loss in rats. Methods: Thirty nine female (10 month old) Wistar rats were separated into Controls (n=11), OVX (n=13) and OVX+AP groups (n=15). Measurements of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) were performed at baseline, 3 and 6 months after ovariectomy. After 6 months treatment, the rats were euthanized and femurs were extracted. The biomechanical properties were evaluated using the 3-point bending test. Results: The percentage changes of the mean values of the proximal tibia BMD from baseline to 3 months for Control, OVX and OVX+AP group were 6.25%, -21.82% and - 12.73% whereas at 6 months they were 8.108%, -32.134% and -22.410% respectively. The 3-point bending test revealed that the maximal load before fracture and the mean values for stress significantly increased in the treatment group compared with OVX rats. Body and uterine weights were similar between OVX and OVX+AP groups. Conclusion: This study is the first to demonstrate that orally administered Amphimas pterocarpoides extract for 6 months is effective in terms of improving bone quantity (Bone mineral density) and quality (biomechanical parameters), surrogate markers of reduced risk of fracture. Therefore, Amphimas pterocarpoides is a new class of phytoestrogen extract and it presents a remarkable antiosteoporotic activity. These properties make Amphimas pterocarpoides a promising herbal therapy for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis induced by estrogen deficiency.